Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Schoolchildren in Kota Kinabalu District: An Overview

Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity poses global public health threat and has risen to an alarming level throughout the world. Environmental factors, lifestyle preferences and culture play important roles in the rising prevalence of obesity worldwide. Overweight children are more likely to be overweight or obese in their adulthood and therefore are at greater risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic ailments. Children occasionally become overweight on account of medical or genetic conditions. The main cause relates to poor dietary habits, inactivity or a combination of these factors. These situations also pose an emerging public health issue in Asia.

Keywords: overweight, obesity, schoolchildren, prevalence rate